The official blog of Historical Fantasy Author, Mary Anne Yarde.
Come and join me on the hunt for everything mythological, as well as historical. Oh, and let's not forget the odd book or two! Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy...

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Thursday, 20 July 2017

The Island of Glass ~#FolkloreThursday #Myths #Legends #England

Joseph of Arimathea stood on Golgotha Hill and watched, with a
broken heart, as Jesus died on a wooden cross. When they finally lowered Jesus from
the cross, Joseph felt compelled to offer Jesus' family the use of his tomb, so
that they had somewhere to lay Jesus' broken body. It is hard to imagine what
was going on in Joseph's mind that day. To give up his grave was no small
thing, but his love for Jesus and for what he stood for, meant more to him than his
final resting place.

But then a miracle happened, and Jesus rose from the dead.
The tomb was again empty, but Joseph's heart was full of wonder. He became a
disciple and spent the rest of his life wandering the world and passing on the
teachings of Jesus.

Joseph of Arimathea by Pietro Perugino, a detail from his Lamentation over the Dead Christ.

It came to pass that Joseph and a group of friends sailed to
a distant land called Albion. They followed the River Severn as they travelled
inland and finally they found themselves in The Summer Lands.

The Somerset Levels ( The Summer Lands)

The Summer Lands were only accessible during the summer months for grazing cattle and sheep. In the winter the
water would reclaim the land and all that would be left was a very large hill, seemingly floating in the middle of this great flood. The water reflected the hill and because of this the Celts called this place Ynys Witrin —The Isle of Glass.

Joseph and his friends climbed one of the smaller hills that
surrounded the largest hill. Joseph lent heavily upon his thorn-wood staff, as he
tried to catch his breath from the climb. He decided to name the hill,
Weary-A-Hill. Joseph thrust his staff into the damp earth and then sat down to
rest.

The view from Glastonbury Tor

That night an angel visited Joseph in his dreams. The angel
told Joseph that this land was his future. It would be his new home.

Joseph awoke, refreshed, as did his friends, but much to
their surprise the staff had taken root. New shoots shot out from the once
smooth wood. Theses shoots would soon grow into strong branches. The buds of leaves were
already forming. This was a miracle. This was a gift from God. There was no
doubt in Joseph's mind.

Weary-A-Hill was owned by a rich nobleman who had no time for the
stories of this Christian deity. Neither did he have any use for the hill, for
it was too steep to farm. In a gesture of goodwill, he told Joseph he could
build on the hill if he so desired.

Joseph took the nobleman up on his offer and build he did.
But it wasn't a house for himself — it was a house for God. He built a House Of
Worship. In fact, it was the first Christian Church ever to be built.

And then people started to come. At first, the odd few
stranger turned up, but people were drawn here, answering a silent call. Soon
Joseph had a healthy congregation, and yet, still more people came.

A Pilgrim on his way to Glastonbury

The Angel had been right. Joseph had found his home in what
was once a strangely foreign place. He had no need for his tomb that he had
given up for Jesus all those years ago. It was said that Joseph was buried on
the Hill, although the exact location will forever remain a mystery. The church
that Joseph built was rebuilt over the centuries. Times changed, but one thing
has always remained constant and that is the Thorn tree. As regular as clockwork, the thorn blossoms every year at Easter and
Christmas.

Many traveled to see this miracle tree. Many compared it to
Jesus' Crown of Thorns.

The Island of Glass, a forgotten name for a kingdom that
inspired many legends. In the years that followed the name would change and it
would become known as the Isle of Avalon.

This isn't the end of the story, far from it. Joseph's staff
was not the only thing he brought with him from the Holy Lands. It was rumoured
that he also brought with him a vessel. A precious cup. A beautiful Grail. But
that story is for another day!